Thursday, 12 December 2013

Soft Power Deliver A Rosy Crucifixion On The Wharves

Another day, another split. This one comes from the heady halls of the UK’s Soft Power Records, bringing the nations together since Andy Murray (what do you mean, he’s Scottish? He’s bloody British I’ll have you know!) This awesome album sees London 60s power pop psych acolytes The Wharves with Glasgow’s own beguiling scuzz lizards The Rosy Crucifixion, with electric results.

The Wharves’ side undulates from the Warpaint-swirl of ‘Thick Syrup’, the sunny bounce of ‘Unhand Me’, the seductive blues swirl of ‘Motif’, the Kim Deal-meets-Led Zeppelin dirge ‘Woodchip’, the beautiful pastoral effort ‘Past Life 1887’ – all strengthened by the double-helix soar of twin vocalists Gemma Fleet (bass) and Dearbhla Minogue (guitar) and pounding metronome of Marion Andreau’s drumming propels everything down the rabbithole. It’s exhilarating stuff, especially the haunting grind of closer ‘Deepwater Horizon’, and this is greatly tempered by the rusted coil sensual tension inherent with The Rosy Crucifixion’s efforts.

Emily MacLaren’s guitar lines are sinful as hell, and that voice has been gilded by the Devil himself to ruin many a good man, myself included. ‘Do You Right’, ‘Lose Yourself’, ‘Sinners’, ‘Hot In Your Head’ – this shit should be illegal for the virile masses (I’m glad it isn’t though – any more illicit and I’d perish). Stuart Evans’ bass follows the cues, making the debasement unavoidable, before Conal Blake pummels you into submission, the trio stealing your wallet and dignity but not your smile and eternal thanks.

You can get the split 12” here – great stuff. The Wharves are playing in London tonight to launch the split at The Macbeth, alongside Warm Brains, Blood Of The Bull and Gold Bars. See you there.

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It was early on a Sunday morning at ATP - A Nightmare Before Christmas 2009. After downing a fair few, at 4am we decided to cook a curry. It was during the consumption of this drunkenly delicious breakfast treat that we decided to actually do something about the music we talk about all the time.

So we started a blog – and Sonic Masala was born. Now into its fourth year, the blog has spread out to call both Australia and the UK its home (and the rest of the world), and has expanded to include gigs, festivals and a record label under its black umbrella. Come on, eat the noize.

If an mp3 is up here, it's because we have been talking about it, and think the whole world needs to know more. It's there to give you a little taste. Then, if you like, check out the band live and spend all your hard earned cash on their records. If we've posted up an mp3 of your stuff and you're not too keen on the idea, let us know and we'll happily take it down pronto.

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